Bill Text: NY J02095 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Mourning the death of George L. Johansen, devoted husband and father, meritorious veteran, and distinguished New York State Trooper
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-03 - ADOPTED [J02095 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-J02095-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 2095 BY: Senator HARCKHAM MOURNING the death of George L. Johansen, devoted husband and father, meritorious veteran, and distinguished New York State Trooper WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who, through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive impact on the lives of its residents; George L. Johansen was one such individual; and WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of George L. Johansen, noting the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and WHEREAS, George L. Johansen, a long-time resident of Peekskill, New York, died on Saturday, August 5, 2023, following a lengthy illness that he refused to let define him, and bravely fought for over 12 years; and WHEREAS, George Lawrence Johansen was born to Lawrence and Louise (Dalton) Johansen in Staten Island, New York, where he attended Tottenville High School; he proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army and was a combat veteran, having fought in Vietnam during the early part of the conflict in 1965 and 1966; and WHEREAS, Upon his return from the war, George L. Johansen joined the New York State Police in 1967 where he worked until his retirement in 1991; and WHEREAS, Soon after becoming a New York State Trooper, George L. Johansen met the love of his life, the former Joan Edwards, and the couple married in 1969; they were married for 54 years and had two adoring children, Amy and Eric; together as a family, they enjoyed traveling, camping, skiing, SCUBA diving, and sailing; but most of all, George was happiest when they were simply all together around the dining room table; and WHEREAS, During his distinguished New York State Police (NYSP) career in Troop K, George L. Johansen investigated and helped solve many high-profile crimes throughout the Hudson Valley region; as the Senior Investigator at NYSP Peekskill, he loved working with his squad and cherished the lifelong friendships that were forged during this time; and WHEREAS, Following his retirement, George L. Johansen held many positions in Law Enforcement and Security; in 2001, he very proudly returned to policing, serving the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police Department as the Deputy Superintendent until 2007; his illustrious law enforcement career concluded with a return to the New York State Police where he worked as an Investigator/Consultant until 2019; and WHEREAS, George L. Johansen was well known and respected for his over 50 years of public service which also included serving the City of Peekskill as a Councilman and Deputy Mayor; and WHEREAS, An accomplished private pilot certified to fly single and multi-engine planes, George L. Johansen loved to fly with his great friends and fellow aviators with whom he shared thousands of hours in the cockpits of many types of aircraft; his personal favorite was a seaplane which he loved to take off from and land in the Hudson River and surrounding creeks in Ulster County; and WHEREAS, George L. Johansen was also a talented sailor who loved to skipper sailboats and powerboats all over the Caribbean Sea, or up and down the inter-coastal waterway with his friends and family; his favorite islands were St. Thomas, St. John, and Jost Van Dyke, and he loved to visit the Willie T; and WHEREAS, If he wasn't soaking in the warm Caribbean sun in the wintertime, George L. Johansen could be found on the ski slopes; he skied all over the Northeast, the Rockies, Canada, and the Alps, and even got Joan to the top of many mountains; and WHEREAS, Throughout their marriage, George and Joan traveled the globe together; they cruised the Mediterranean and river villages of France; biked through the vineyards of Napa Valley, and visited Taiwan, Scandinavia, and the British and Greek Isles; they were true world travelers and best friends; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, George L. Johansen also found time to attend many Super Bowls, World Series Games, NASCAR races, and even sped around the Charlotte Speedway driving a Richard Petty Stock Car; he found great joy in sharing his favorite hobbies and thirst for adventure with his family and closest friends; and WHEREAS, In addition to his wife and children, George L. Johansen is survived by his daughter-in-law, Catherine (Trerotola); three grandchildren, Eric, Leila, and Melissa; three sisters Carol (Danny) Meyler, Gail (Patrick) Lomma, and Dawn Johansen; as well as many adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends; he was predeceased by his sisters Marylou and Joyce; and WHEREAS, George L. Johansen's infinite selflessness and benevolence will shine on through his family's vivid and happy memories; his insight and strength will forever serve as a beacon of love, light and hope to the countless lives he touched; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, George L. Johansen leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of George L. Johansen, and to express its deepest condolences to her family; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of George L. Johansen.